LibGuides: Finding and Using Data: International

The World Bank's WDI database provides direct access to more than 900 development indicators, with time series for 210 countries from 1960 to present (where data are available). For more publicly available data, check out the World Banks open-data initiative.

World Development Indicators & Global Development Finance
The Indicators are organized into 10 categories that include economic policy and debt, education, environment, financial sector, health, infrastructure, labor and social protection, poverty, private sector and trade, and public sector.

The international organizations and sources listed here provide comprehensive statistics on many topics and for many countries (look for publications, interactive tools and downloadable files). When looking for data on a specific country, be sure to also check what official statistical agencies exist within the government.

Gapminder
Gapminder identifies systematic misconceptions about important global trends and proportions and uses reliable data to develop easy to understand teaching materials to rid people of their misconceptions. Find data on energy, education, economy, health, infrastructure, population, society, work, etc.
UNdata Explorer
Compiles over 30 databases produced by United Nations Statistics and Population Divisions and other UN agencies under one interface. While time period and geographic coverage vary for each dataset, data are generally current and far-reaching—covering a broad range of international measures related to the UN’s mission to maintain international peace and security, develop friendly relations among nations and promote social progress, better living standards and human rights.
International Data Survey Programme
The ISSP is a cross-national collaboration programme conducting annual surveys on diverse topics relevant to social sciences.
OECD International Direct Investment Statistics
This annual publication gathers detailed statistics for inward and outward foreign direct investment (FDI) flows and positions (stocks) of OECD countries. Comparative tables and charts complement the information included for the statistics of each OECD country broken down by partner countries worldwide and by economic activity. Data are generally provided for the most recent five years available.